MELCHBOURNE HOSPITALLERS PRECEPTORY

The site of a preceptory of the Knights Hospitallers. The preceptory was founded between 1154 and 1176. From 1489 it was in the possession of the Precptor of England and ceased to be a preceptory. It was re-established as a preceptory in 1557 for a short time. The site has no structural remains. A holloway forms the North boundary.

The preceptory of Melchbourne was founded by Alice de Claremont between 1154 and 1176. A general chapter was held there in 1242 under the presidency of the prior of the hospital in England. In 1338 it supported sixteen members including servants. In 1489 it lost its status as a true preceptory and was held by the prior of England, until in 1557 it was refounded for a very short time by Queen Mary. (2-3)

There are no structural remains of this preceptory which occupied a gentle southerly slope, now under grass. Slightly disturbed ground and dark earth at TL 03036585 apparently mark the site but this is not conclusive.

A hollow way forms the north boundary to the area. It has been sealed at its west end within a modern garden but is probably the lane extant in 1628(a). Two banks to the east of the site 0.6m high are probably the remains of medieval field enclosures. In 1628(a) the site was named "Connygree" but no evidence of a constructed warren was seen.Published 25" survey revised (b). (4)

SOURCE TEXT

( 1) Ordnance Survey Map (Scale / Date)

OS 6" 1960

( 2) edited by P H Ditchfield and William Page 1906 The Victoria history of Berkshire, volume one